problem with EFS encryption

[Pan]

Hi,

any help with this problem is appreciated:

I recently reinstalled WinXP(SP1) and I cannot access a folder that I
had previously encrypted (using EFS system on XP).

The hard disc has many partitions. The OS installation and the
encrypted folder were and are on different partitions, both before and
after the reinstallations (OS is in C and Data files in D).
I only deleted the C partition and created it again. The D partition
is untouched.
I created my account with the same name (with the old one that made
the encryption) but of course it has a different SID (and I have no
idea of my previous SID).
When I try to access the encrypted folder I get the message "Access
Denied"
The folder contains 3 subfolders. I don't care but for one of the
files (the Outlook mailbox... It's around 150MB)

The weird thing: According to the epsinfo.exe (from the Support Tools)
the folder is not encrypted!!! But I'm sure it was encrypted...

Any ideas or chance to get my data back?
Any low level access tools?

Thanks

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Pan;
Are you sure it is not an Ownership issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

If the files are encrypted.
If you did not back-up the encryption key or the Recovery Agent and
are not on a domain, the files are as good as gone.
This must be accomplished while you have access to the files.
If you have not already done so, it is now to late.

If you can restore the original profile (not recreate) you may be able
to recover the data.
Recreating profiles and passwords is irrelevant.
Contact Microsoft if you can restore the profile.
Or:
http://www.beginningtoseethelight.org/efsrecovery/index.php

EFS is very good at what it does and there is no back door.
Read and understand these links before using EFS to keep from
permanently losing your data:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/administration/recovery/default.asp
(58 pages)
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=223316